Waves, Sound and Light: Wave Basics

Wave Basics: Audio Guided Solution

Problem 6:

Tsunamis are much different than rogue waves. While rogue waves and other waves are generated by winds, tsunamis originate from geological events such as movements of tectonic plates. Tsunamis tend to travel very fast. A tsunami generated off the coast of Chile in 1990 is estimated to have traveled approximately 6200 miles to Hawaii in 15 hours. Determine the speed in mi/hr and m/s. (Given: 1.0 m/s = 2.24 mi/hr)

Audio Guided Solution

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Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.

Identify the known and unknown quantities and record in an organized manner, often times they can be recorded on the diagram itself. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity (e.g., v = 12.8 m/s, λ = 4.52 m, f = ???).

Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.

Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.

Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.